"This is where the fun begins"Aer LingusDublin, Ireland: The Battle of JetLagIreland: Wicklow and the last day in DublinOur London experience...Change of plans - I'll be in Scotland 'afore ye (Part I)Change of plans - I'll be in Scotland 'afore ye (Part II)The cross country tour: Edinburgh (Part I)The cross country tour: Edinburgh Castle (Part II)The cross country tour: Journey to Thurso (Part III)The northern adventure: Thuro, Stromness, and WickEdinburgh, Glasgow: To and fro'A few randomsOban, Scotland: The AC Choir and the ColiseumCraignure, Isle of Mull: Yeah...about thatOban, Scotland: Back to Oban / Queen's HotelWestern Adventures: Mull, Iona, Staffa, & Oban (Part I)Western Adventures: Mull, Iona, Staffa, & Oban (Part II)The finale: Last morning in Oban / Last day in Glasgow
 | Zathrak |  | Ireland, England, & Scotland |  | The cross country tour... |
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May 5 2010, 12:04 PM
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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
(Jo)
--Edinburgh Castle--
We finally ended up making it to the castle (a good hour after we had planned due to our shopping detours). We decided against the audio tour (complete with headsets) because frankly it was just too much history for us to handle. The castle itself was beautiful, it’s amazing what they were able to do with all the rocks and that an entire community actually lived there. It was during these walks and reading all the signs and history of battles that I wondered where Italy was during this time (since Jes had his people here, I was wondering where mine were gosh darnnit!). Then I remembered the whole Roman Empire thing, the rise and fall, and well, that was it. So just in case anyone was wondering, absolutely no Italian culture or history in Scotland. At least in Edinburgh. So after wondering around for about an hour and a half, we decided that we had enough of the castle (we saw the important stuff I would say; crown jewels, war memorial, all that jazz) and we decided to call it about the end to a really long day.
One fun side note, on our way leaving the castle there was a street performer standing in a doorway. And not just any street performer, he was an invisible one! Imagine the robot or statue performers you can find in big cities (I’ve seen them in Vegas and in Paris), the ones who don’t move and look just completely unreal until you walk by them and then terrify an unknowing passerby. Though this guy was clever, he was in a suit, no head or neck, and a hat and sunglasses floating right where his head should have been. He happily waved at us, and followed and played with other people that were around. This of course merited a pound or two, and while I was hoping for him to dance, we got some movement and interaction. One of the best street guys I’ve seen in some time.
There was one more thing we had to do though in our very long day. Just imagine what this could mean. Oh that’s right (and I SO wish it wasn’t), we needed to try haggis.
You just can’t come to Scotland and not have any, and while I was absolutely petrified of how it would be and what would happen if I had sheep stomach in my own stomach (the thought of that already is making me cringe, bleh!), I knew that it had to be done. We both decided we would rather do it here in the city than up in the highlands where they may actually go out and get the stomach fresh (cringing again). So we found a place on High Street that looked decent enough, sat ourselves down and decided that we were going to order Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties. Of course I have no idea exactly what is in haggis (nor do I want to know right now), or what neeps and tatties are (though Jes informs me that they are a form of turnips and potatoes). We ended up getting some appetizers to try and get our stomachs ready first, and lots of water as well. When it came out I was fairly ready to just leave, but I decided to be open minded. The “neeps” were just terrible, though Jes said they tasted like mashed up carrots. We then both tried the haggis and had about the opposite reaction. I found that the flavor itself wasn’t terrible (it tasted and had a flavor close to Italian sausage), the texture was just dreadful. It was like chewing on bits of warm rubber band, but you know it is a stomach rubber band. Jes strangely didn’t mind the texture (everyone join me in a collective bleh and gag there), but he didn’t like the flavor (go figure there). All in all, we came, we ate (one bite), and we concurred (in my opinion).
(End Jo, Begin Jes)
And now that Jo got most of the fun bits, you all now get the pleasure of hearing me rant about a semi-related topic, among a few others. Then I’ll give it back to her so she can go over even more fun bits!
My first topic, glasses. Why would any country, province, whatever prefer to have quarter-sized glasses? I realize that usually if you’re drinking something, it’s usually out of a bottle around here, but how do people stay hydrated? And even outside of that and from a business perspective, that’s twice as much work to be done, which to me equals about half the efficiency of that decision. If a server has to keep coming filling up the glass, he/she would be doing twice is much work and at my table for twice the amount of time than if they had just had normal sized glasses? And in the case of the hotel’s get a new glass” policy, that’s like 4x as many dishes to be done. So there ya have it folks. Small glasses = restupido.
Now, be warned. This next topic may be a more sensitive one and may not be suitable for all viewers. Digression is advised. Last warning, if you’re sensitive to negative feelings, skip to the net paragraph. On a more serious note, I just have to say how offended I am to have seen a good half of the Scottish shops (where one would go to procure highland outfitting, bagpipes, etc) being run, managed, and otherwise represented by foreigners. I won’t get too detailed on it but these people are coming here, bastardizing the Scottish heritage, putting it on display to make a sale, and are representing traditional Scottish culture while having the testicular fortitude to impress their own cultures and views at the same time. It makes me sick. It’s like if I were to move to China, open up a Chinese restaurant, and serve my customers whilst wearing my kilt. It would never happen. I’d likely get my ass kicked, if not lynched. It’s disgusting. It really just makes me sick. How dare you sons of bitches. Go bastardize someone else’s culture. If Sir William Wallace were alive, he’d certainly not allow for that garbage. Alas, he is no longer with us and is likely rolling in his grave right now.
And for my last arbitrary topic today, I should mention that my diet has consisted mostly of sodium and potatoes since I’ve gotten to the U.K. I do believe I‘ve had some form of potatoes for every single meal since we’ve gotten here. I do like potatoes but boy do I miss fruits and veggies, and cereal for that matter.
To be continued...
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OH MY GOD..........
Written by Mummy 38 months ago
YOU DID NOT NOT NOT TRY HAGGIS???????? Oh please tell me your KIDDING?????? :-) I have to go throw up..........this could be how I loose my last 5 lbs :-) More comments when I'm nog gagging......I hope your feeling better Jesse :-) Mummy
Re: OH MY GOD..........
Written by Zathrak 37 months ago
I KNOW! I did have one small bite, I'll definitely have to be sure to show you the video. It was quite traumatic and disgusting, but when in Scotland I figured! That will be the one and only time it happens, no worries! Love you! :-) <3